Desk appliance.



P. B. DOWNING. DESK APPUANCE. APPLICATION FILED Dc.2o. I917.

Patented June 18, 1918;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. B. DOWNING.

DESK APPLIANCE. APPLICATION FILED DEC.20. 1917.

Patented June 18, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

mllllllllll I. I lllll'l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP B. DOWNING, 0F EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

DESK APPLIANCE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP B. DOWNING, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Desk Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to desk appliances and its object is to provide a simple apparatus whereby a roll of paper may be supported for ready use for writing short notes such as shop orders, telephone messages, etc., or for Writing longer manuscripts.

In the drawings in which I have shown an illustrative embodiment of my inven-' tion,

Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the position of the paper when my appliance is used for writing'short notes. Fig. 3 is a plan view representing mv appliance when provided with a shorter roll of paper than that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. A is a side view showing the position of the paper when my device is employed for writing manuscripts other than short notes, etc. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of details of construction.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention a plate 1 of sheet metal or other suitable material is supported by the base members 2, 2 so that as shown said plate is inclined with respect to the bottom of the base members and the desk or table upon which the appliance is ordinarily placed when in use. In the present instance the plate is attached to the base members by screws but it will be understood that theplate and its supports may be formed integrally as by pressing the same out of sheet metal. The base member 2' terminates forwardly in an upturned bracket 3 to which is attached a transversely extending axle 4. Attached to the forward ends of the base members is a plate 5 provided with a rib 6 and a bracket 7 corresponding in shape to the oppositely arranged bracket 3 is apertured to pass over the axle 4 and the plate 5, the said rib holding the lower portion of said bracket in position. A roll of paper 8 is supported by the axle 4L and a thumb nut 9 threaded to the portion of the axle which projects beyond the plate 7 clamps the latter against the roll and restrains the rota- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 20, 1917.

. Patented June 18, 1918.

Serial No. 208,012.

tion of the same about the axle as the paper is drawn ofl" for use.

If it is desired to use aroll such as 8' these elements may be slotted as shown andplaced endwise on said plate when the bracket 7 is removed, the rib 6 preventing the sidewise removal therefrom. Cross rods 12, 12 may be attached to the base members by screw threads 13, 13 or other suitable means to strengthen the construction and also sustain the paper web when used for writing long manuscripts. The bar 14 extending transversely across the plate 1 and attached only at its ends thereto same serves as a convenient means for guiding the web and permitting the used portion to be torn off.

A clip 15 attached to one side of the plate at the rear end thereof may be employed to assist in holding the paper down on the plate, and a roller 16 j ournaled between the ends of the base members may be used to reduce the friction of the paper when the latter is used in the manner shown in Fig. 4.

When the appliance is to be used for making brief memoranda such as telephone messages or the like the web is threaded under the cut off bar 14 as shown in Fig. 2, a suitable length drawn out over the plate and then after the paper has been used it is torn from the web along said bar.

When however it is to be used for writing longer manuscripts the web is passed under the plate, over the cross rods 12, turned back over the roller 16 and drawn along the plate under the clip 15 and the cut off bar. After the manuscript has been Having described in detail one embodiment of my invention without however limiting the same thereto what 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination a plate, base members supporting the same, one of said members terminating in a bracket forward of said plate, an axle carried by said bracket, an oppositely disposed adjustable bracket, and means cooperating with said adjustable bracket for holding a roll of paper on said axle under restraint.

2. An apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination a plate, members supporting the same, a cross plate secured to the forward ends of said supporting members, a bracket integral With one of said supporting members, an axle secured to said bracket, an oppositely disposed adjustable bracket, said adjustable bracket being apertured to pass endwise over said axle and cross plate, and means on said cross plate to restrain said adjustable bracket from transverse movement with respect to said cross plate.

3. An apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination a plate, members supporting the same, one of said members terminating in a bracket, an axle carried by said bracket, a cross plate secured to the forward ends of said members and provided with an upwardly arranged rib, and an adjustable bracket having an aperture for receiving said axle and a slot conform ing to the shape of said cross plate and rib whereby said bracket may be passed longitudinally over the latter and restrained from transverse movement with respect thereto.

4:. An apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination a plate, a bracket located in front of the forward end thereof, an axle secured to said bracket, said axle being arranged to receive a roll of paper of less Width than the plate, an adjustable bracket arranged opposite the bracket first mentioned and apertured to pass over said axle, a sleeve on said axle between said ad- -justable bracket and the roll of paper, and

a nut threaded to the end 01": said axle which projects beyond the adjustable bracket.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 18th day of December, 1917.

PHILIP B. DOWNING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, .D. C. 

